
ABOUT US
The Friends of Rittenhouse Square is a membership organization governed by an Executive Committee and a volunteer Board of Directors elected in November whom each serve a three-year term. We hold two annual meetings for the membership in May and November. Updates are provided on finances, ongoing programs, events, and current projects.
Rittenhouse Square was planned in 1682 by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme, making it the fourth oldest park in the US. Of the five Philadelphia parks they planned, it is the only one to continuously retain its original intent: an urban square to be used as a place of retreat & respite.
Since its founding, improvements to Rittenhouse Square have been led by an engaged group of neighborhood stewards. Upon its inception in 1976, The Friends of Rittenhouse Square group manages many programs and projects needed to sustain the venerable city park. As a nonprofit, we are supported through membership, special events, private donations, sponsorships, and special campaigns.


The friends host various volunteer events including park cleanup days and the bi-annual Love Your Park Week in collaboration with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Since 1683, Rittenhouse Square has been a place to meet up with friends, share a meal, and relax in the park's natural beauty. Through the action of past visionary neighbors, leaders, and friends, the Square has remained vibrant and critical to the vitality of Philadelphia.
To this day, the Square has not lost its original character largely because of the people and businesses who make up the Friends of Rittenhouse Square. The Friends have taken on the bulk of the financial responsibility to sustain Rittenhouse Square, ensuring the park and neighborhood remain vibrant.
See below
to learn about
OUR WORK

The Friends fund special projects
to address the ever-changing needs of the Square.

While the Square
has many fans, what it really needs is more
Friends.
Whether you are a neighborhood resident or simply a lover of Rittenhouse Square, the Friends need everyone’s support to keep this historic landmark vibrant. Please consider becoming a member.
$50 Annual
It is in everyone’s interest to keep the Square beautiful. Annual memberships start at just $50 and there are several different levels of giving suitable for every budget and commitment to Rittenhouse Square – there is even a membership for pets!


Although nearly 10,000 people live and work around the Square, fewer than 8% contribute financially to its upkeep


Leadership
The Friends of Rittenhouse Square is governed by a Board of Directors composed of professionals, business owners, executives, and philanthropists residing and/or working in and around Rittenhouse Square.
Directors are elected in November and serve a three-year term.
Please contact info@friendsofrittenhouse.org for more information. Candidates must have a current Friends of Rittenhouse Square membership and submit a letter of intent with resume by September 15th for consideration.
2022
OFFICERS
Bart Blatstein
President
Stephen J. Lightcap
Vice President of Finance
Doug Blonsky
Vice President of Landscaping
Ken Wellar
Secretary
2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adam Laver
Amanda Burden
Andrew Yaffe
Brendan Walsh
Brian Stetler
Carter Caldwell
Christopher Tiano
David Braverman
Drew Brown
Herbert J. Reid III
Jack Soloff, Jr.
Jeff Brown
Jeremy Kay
Lisa Popowich
Phil Balderston
Sabrina Thorne
Laura LaRosa
Linda Lightman
Mark Nicoletti
Nicole Cashman
Nikki Purvy
Peter Madden
Reed Slogoff
Renee Dubyk
Rob Wasserman
Ryan Boyer
Shira Yoshor
Tim Shaaban
Dominique Casimir
Ramnik Chopra
Brian Emmons
Steve Gartner
Rick Gross
Ken Mallin
Harvey Ostroff
Matt Pestronk
Missy Randolph
Ryan Sanders
Ismail Shahid
Ken Sharples
Donna Slipakoff
Wayne Spilove
We are proud to announce our newest Board Members:
Dominique Casimir
Ramnik Chopra
Brian Emmons
Steve Gartner
Rick Gross
Ken Mallin
Harvey Ostroff
Matt Pestronk
Missy Randolph
Ryan Sanders
Ismail Shahid
Ken Sharples
Donna Slipakoff
Wayne Spilove
